THE Ashika jury trial scheduled to start on Monday, February 7 will be held at Parliament House beside the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.

The Chief Registrar of the Nuky'alofa Supreme Court, Manako Vi, said that the Speaker of the House Lord Lasike had consented for the trial to be held at the Parliament House for the one-month duration free of charge.

She said the normal court room would be too small as there would up to eight counsel, over 100 people to be called for the selection of the seven jurors, as well as the media and public attending.

The jury trial is of four persons and the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd who are each charged with manslaughter by negligence over the death of young mother, Vae Fetu'u Taufa and additional charges.

The defendants are SCP Managing Director John Jonesse, the Ashika Captain Makahokovalu Tuputupu, First Mate Semisi Pomale, Acting Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu and the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd.

Additional counts includes sending and taking an unseaworthy ship to sea, having no valid safety certificate, having no loadline certificate and no stability information in relation to the ferry's five voyages.

Jonesse is the only one charged with forgery in relation to an Audit Report by David Shaw dated April 2009 and knowingly dealing with a forged document. He is also charged with sending an unseaworthy ship to sea.

The jury trial begins on Monday morning with the selection of the seven jurors held before Justice Robert Shuster.